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<title>VCOC Feature Articles</title><link>http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/index.html</link><description>Featured Articles</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright &#xa9; 2007-2008 Vancouver Church of Christ</dc:rights><dc:date>2008-04-02T21:54:31-07:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:23:40 -0700</lastBuildDate><item><title>Which Master Do You Serve? - By Geoffrey Jones</title><dc:creator>www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org</dc:creator><dc:subject>Articles</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-04-02T21:54:31-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/articles/files/e65455fd68c368cd9bbd7d335a03832e-6.php#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/articles/files/e65455fd68c368cd9bbd7d335a03832e-6.php#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Those of us who are followers of Christ will readily acknowledge that materialism is ungodly, but without carefully considering whether or not we have truly succumbed to its allures. 

...From a personal observation, I noticed that I was often more enthralled looking at a Home Depot flyer or going there to look at their wares (namely power tools) than I was getting into Scripture. 

...Scripture is very clear on actions and attitudes regarding our wealth, thus spending time hearing what God has to say in the matter benefits us greatly. ...  Finally, we can take on the attitude that none of what we have is ours to begin with; it all belongs to God.   Let us heed the warning in Luke 13 and that we do not become like the man who tears down his barns to build bigger ones. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>An Invitation to Daily Walk With God - By Brian Felushko</title><dc:creator>www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org</dc:creator><dc:subject>Articles</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-01-01T21:58:10-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/articles/files/a993d314c245ab9132e10b678cc604cc-3.php#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/articles/files/a993d314c245ab9132e10b678cc604cc-3.php#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Yes, life is busy and full of demands on our time, but if we call ourselves Jesus&rsquo; disciples and thus desire to know God and do his will in our daily lives, then we have no choice but to make the time, daily, to hear his voice.

...Each day we will read about a chapter of the New Testament and, with the help of comments and/or questions, take some time to reflect on what God is trying to communicate to us.    If each of us then take some time and talk to God about what we heard him say to us through his word, we will each spend about one half hour in real communion with our God!

That half hour or so spent every day with God, will help determine how we live in 2008: we will mature in Christ rather than drift away from God; we will be able to make righteousness choices and exercise self-denial as needed rather than give into self, sin and Satan when tempted; we will be salt and light to the world leading others to praise God rather than going unnoticed and being ineffective in terms of making a difference for God. 

I believe that 2008 can be the best year we&rsquo;ve ever had (both individually and collectively) in our walk with God, our imitation of, and obedience to, Christ and our impact on the world in which we now live.  ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Still Faithful and Still Single - By Nicole Guevera</title><dc:creator>www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org</dc:creator><dc:subject>Articles</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-12-30T23:02:48-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/articles/files/e3707a83eadc4cd85ebc33f876a286f8-2.php#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/articles/files/e3707a83eadc4cd85ebc33f876a286f8-2.php#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I made a choice twenty years ago, and even though I'm no longer living on 'fantasy faith', I still feel confident about that choice: becoming a Christian is the same decision I would make today. 

...Today I'm fine... but New Year's Eve is in five months, and Valentine's Day is in seven months: some days, being single is a breeze, and on other days days it's just tough. ...  I'm not willing to leave God because someone noticed my nice outfit ( and those compliments always seem to come in my weakest moments ), or because some guy outside my faith is always smiling at me and making an effort to get to know me. 

...Now, I know that there are probably good endings out there- couples who are making it work, although I don't think that's a chance I'm willing to take. 

...I can't imagine being in a relationship with someone, and waiting and hoping that one day he will fall in love with God: I don't want to end up fighting the battle alone.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Ministry of Suffering - By Cathy Reimer</title><dc:creator>www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org</dc:creator><dc:subject>Articles</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-12-30T22:46:20-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/articles/files/8a350c50d8ca7a9870a1224c3d85ed95-0.php#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.vancouverchurchofchrist.org/articles/files/8a350c50d8ca7a9870a1224c3d85ed95-0.php#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[And yet, only we Christians are called to pick up our cross and carry it- so we see that God expects something different from us as opposed to everyone else who suffers. 

...Frankly, that line of reasoning never made much sense to me: how could hardship, over which one usually had no choice or input, be one's cross to carry, when, to carry one's cross, as Jesus did, required choice, deliberate decision and conscious faith? 

...In relating his experiences as a prisoner in a Nazi death camp, at one point he writes: " the way in which a man accepts his fate and all the &nbsp;suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity - even under the most difficult circumstances - to add a deeper meaning to his life. 

...I also realized &nbsp;that I can &nbsp;be unworthy of suffering, like a student who refuses to do the course work required in a given subject, consequently fails that subject, and is required to repeat that subject until the student learns finally to do the work. 

...Also, that our lives, not in spite of, but because we suffer, now become all about our unique and God-given purpose: since no one else can suffer- and therefore honor God- as I do, no one else can fulfill the task set before me to rise to my God. ]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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